How and When Do I Introduce New Chicks to Hens?

[citychickinthecountry]

Long story short...I lost one of my hens about a week and a half ago. As a birthday gift, a friend ordered me some chicks (to be delivered in 2 weeks). I currently have 3 hens that are about 9 months old...all spoiled too!

How should I introduce the hens and the new chicks?

Also, at what age (of the new chicks) should I do this? I was thinking that after I'm sure the chicks are healthy, I'd let the hens see them...but of course, I'd stay in the coop and monitor the visitation.

I know the pecking order will be in disarray, but is there anything in particular (bad behavior) that I need to look for? Will my current hens be "upset" with the introduction of new chicks (the hens have been together since they were 1-day old)?

 

[Matt A NC]

In most case you will not be able to put new ones in till they are almost grown. They will not be able to take the pecking that comes along with the new pecking order. 1 peck from an adult hen can easily kill a chick.

Matt

 

[Sassah001]

She is right, its hard to get them together until the size gap gets smaller. I have a couple ways I put my hens together when I need to.

If you don't freerange:
1- Lock all of the hens out of the house and put the new hens in so that the birds can hear the sounds all day long but can't do anything about it. When they get in at dusk you should have a small fiasco but nothing major, they are already expecting the new birds.

2-Sneak them into the cuddle party at night under darkness. Stay out there and watch for about 30 minutes so that you are sure they haven't noticed. Come out first light and check again. Both of these are hit or miss

If you do freerange:
This following one has worked for me everytime. My new birds always live in my garage in a pen for the first part of their lives and then move to the coop. Let the new birds out to freerange with the big birds during the day, leaving the garage door open so they can run in and hide if they get scared or chased. After about a week or less of doing this you will notice that there is still segregation but they aren't being bullied as much anymore. As soon as you notice this, when everyone goes in for the evening(normally right before it gets dark) chase down the new birds(a big fish net on a pole does wonders!!!!) and put them in the big coop, shut the door and sit their for about a half an hour showing your dominance with your head hen(s)/rooster(s). Then leave them till day break and let them out of the coop. You will have to catch and put them in the big coop for about 3 days before they will follow suite and go in there themselves when it gets dark. At this point you have successfully assimilated your new birds!

The reason I like doing it this way is that the rooster will attempt to protect everyone after the first day in the big coop even if he has to run back and forth. I'm not sure if that is just my roo, but its awesome to watch!

Congrats on your chickies, I hope this helps

 

[citychickinthecountry]

I do a mix of both...it's complicated. Since I lost one of my hens (to a hawk)

, I've been keeping the remaining hens in the coop during the day while I'm at work. I let them free range when I'm home (after I get home from work and on the weekends). In the evenings, they are put back in the coop.

I hope to soon be comfortable enough letting them free range again during the day and just keep them in the coop at night.

 

[rhodiegal]

Agree with others - let them grow to a good size first so they can manage the initial squabbles. Then introduce all at the same time (at least more than one at a time). I have never tried the sneaky nightime trick, but I could see how it would throw the existing flock off a bit.

 

[Sassah001]

If you are having issues with hawks, it sounds like you need a good rooster! A good rooster will keep an eye out for things overhead as well as things sneaking up on the flock. they warn everyone to go inside if there is a hawk or an owl or anything else for that matter. Bad roosters just spend their time getting their jollys off with your hens and will be too mean for you to want them anyways. The best roosters I have had have been ones who understood I was dominant over them but that they were in charge of the girls. If you are scared of your rooster, having a rooster is pointless. Having my roo out with my girls always makes me feel better though. Roughly 1 roo/10 hens is a good ratio. I have a big EE roo who is wonderful and a little silkie roo. They tend to split shift. The big roo watches the ground and the little roo watches the sky. It works quite well. You need to be careful with more than one roo that they don't take each other out. They need to have an understanding, this is normally accomplished by you showing your dominance.

It doesn't take much to train a roo except for patience and lack of fear.